Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a while, I do have reason! I moved to University mid-September and have just been swamped since. Getting used to a new city/new flat/new course/new job/new friends/new timetable just hasn't left the time for writing.
Updates from now on may be far and few between, and I am really sorry for that, I do miss writing Guardianship but my degree has to come first. I promise to update whenever I get the chance, and I tried to make the chapter a little longer than usual. This chapter sees Umbridge going into classes, Harry's visit to the Slytherin Common Room and the initial idea of the DA being formed.
Enjoy and please review :)
The trio managed to avoid Umbridge's inspections for a few days. Fred and George reported that she had been in their charms lesson, but had mostly kept to the back of the room making notes on a clipboard. She had asked Alicia a few questions on what the lessons were normally like, and trotted around the room during the practical.
It wasn't until Friday, during double Divination, that Harry and Ron had the same pleasure. Harry was pulling his dream diary from his bag when Ron quickly hit in the ribs. He gestured to the trap door that led into the classroom, where a very disgruntled and slightly dusty Dolores Umbridge was emerging. The room fell quiet, and Umbridge smiled sweetly as ever.
"Good morning, Professor Trelawney. You received my note, I trust? Giving the time and date of your inspection?" She started to make her way to an armchair as Professor Trelawney gave a nod, and resumed giving out copies of the textbook. There was a screech as Umbridge grasped the chair and pulled it to the front of the room. She sat, pulled a pink clipboard from her bag, and waited patiently for the class to start.
The class went well to begin with, and Ron and Harry quickly made up fake dreams to keep each other occupied, as usual. Of course, today it was also just in case Umbridge came over and asked them anything. Instead, Harry saw Umbridge stride over and begin talking to Trelawney, and leaned sideways to listen.
"You've been in this post how long?"
"Nearly sixteen years."
"Quite a period! So it was Professor Dumbledore who appointed you?"
"That's right."
A quick scratch of a quill on a clipboard was made.
"And you are a great-great-granddaughter of celebrated Seer Cassandra Trelawney?"
"Yes."
Another scratch.
"But I think – correct me if I am mistaken – that you are the first in your family since Cassandra to be possessed of Second Sight?"
"These things often skip – er – three generations."
Harry sniggered and turned back to Ron, who was still making notes in the dream diary. Though he had come to the conclusion he would probably be dropping this class, because quite frankly it was pointless to Harry, he thought he should keep his grades up as much as possible until such a time. Severus would be very unimpressed if he did not receive at least an 'A'.
"The Inner Eye does not See upon command!" Professor Trelawney's outraged voice carried across the classroom. Harry and Ron turned around, to where most of their classmates were already looking. Professor Umbridge had her head cocked and her lips sadly pursed at Trelawney, who was practically convulsing with anger.
Parvati Patil leant forward to whisper in Harry's ear, "Umbridge asked her for a prediction! Right there, on the spot! Vile woman." As Parvati leant back, completely unseen by her Professors, Trelawney raised a shaky finger to Umbridge.
"I think I do see something… Something that concerns you… why, I sense something… something dark… some grave peril… I am afraid… I am afraid that you are in grave danger!" Trelawney spat the words, with a dramatic finish. The room was silent.
Professor Umbridge took a sigh and muttered something along the lines of 'best you can do', before turning away. She leaned over Dean and Seamus' table, looked at their dream diaries, made a note, and then said, "That will be all, Professor Trelawney." She left through the trapdoor, looking even more disgusted at having to go down the steps in her dress than when she had come up.
Professor Trelawney took a second, and then snapped back into action. She immediately turned to her usual victims, Ron and Harry, who were hopeless at the art of Divination. She stopped as quickly as she started, looking Harry in the eye. She scowled, probably remembering that Harry was now the ward of a teacher and that it would probably be unwise to pick on him, so she scattered off to Dean and Seamus table, to see just what kind of work Umbridge had seen.
After lunch, and a thorough discussion on what had happened during Divination (the whole school seemed to be talking about in), Defence Against the Dark Arts was a disaster. Umbridge was smug, and Hermione did not even have the effort to bring up she had already read the whole book, and proceeded to reread the words she despised and disagreed with.
The fifth years collapsed in their chairs when they returned to the Gryffindor Common Room, exhausted by the events of the day. There was still a general buzz about the way Professor Trelawney was treated. While most of Hogwarts did believe her to be a fraud, she was still the descendant of a famous Seer, and in the magical world such a title demanded respect - no matter how mad Trelawney was.
After dinner, Harry decided to give homework and revision a skip for the night, ignoring Hermione's chagrin. Instead he made his way down to the dungeons, arriving at Severus' quarters. He spoke the password to Elspeth, and made his way inside. Severus was not in the kitchen or the living room, so he waited patiently on the sofa.
"Why are you still in your teaching robes?" Harry asked immediately, when Severus exited his room.
Severus blinked, but that was the only surprise he showed at the teenage boy appearing in his living room. He had gotten used to Harry's impromptu visits by now, "It is a Friday night, and therefore I will be attending to my Slytherin's. On Friday's I go into the common room during study hours to help them with queries, you should know that by now."
Harry groaned, sliding down the sofa, "I forgot. It's been a long day."
"Were you in the Divination class inspected by Professor Umbridge this morning?"
"Yes. It was heinous." Harry told him.
"Well I am sure Jane would like to hear about it. Would you like to come to the Slytherin common room with me?" Severus adjusted the ends of his sleeves, and the casual question made Harry wonder whether he was serious, "Don't worry, I won't let them eat you."
Harry guffawed, "I don't think I am wanted in the Slytherin common room."
"Nonsense. Young Miss Harper has taken quite the shine to you." Severus looked at his ward with a sly smile.
Harry opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish for a few seconds. Then, he blushed Gryffindor red, checked what homework he had stored in his bag (that he hadn't told Hermione about) and followed Severus out of their quarters. On the way, he recounted the Divination lesson, and Severus made comments. He too thought Trelawney was not a great Seer, but agreed that asking anyone of Seeing ability to predict something on the spot was not in line.
As they approached the Slytherin Common Room portrait, Harry grew more nervous, "Severus I am not so sure this is a good idea. I may get along with Jane and some of her friends, but the majority of Slytherin despise me."
"They are not in charge." Severus said simply, and carried on walking.
"I know… But technically because I am Gryffindor I'm not even allowed in a different common room…"
"They are not in charge, Harry," Severus repeated, as they came to stand in front of the portrait, "I am. I will decide who can enter the Slytherin Common Room and who cannot. I have had many requests over the years for students of other houses to be allowed in, it is not uncommon. Besides, no Slytherin will cause trouble while I am in the room."
Severus did not, however, allow Harry to listen to the password of the common room, which Harry felt perfectly fair. After the spell was cast, the password said and the portrait door had swung open, they each climbed in. Severus went first, and there was an immediate chorus of 'Good evening Professor Snape', which was quickly silenced by Harry's entry into the room.
Dozens of Slytherin's blinked at the so-called saviour, not believing he had been brought into their snakes nest. Severus raised an eyebrow at them and led Harry over to where Jane was sat, grinning, with her friends.
"Good evening Professor Snape." The group chorused again.
"Good evening." Severus gave them a nod, "Miss Harper, I thought perhaps Harry could join you tonight. He received an 'E' on the moonstone essay I set in potions, and has brought it with him. I thought his notes could be very useful to you. Pay attention to the structure of the essay particularly, that is where you lost marks."
Jane grinned even wider up at Harry, and pulled him by the sleeve to sit on the floor next to her, "Thank you Professor Snape, I was just about to go through it again. Hey Harry."
"Hey." Harry smiled back at her, and started to bring notes and books out of his bag. He had told Hermione he would be giving homework and revision a pass that night, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Ron certainly didn't need to know he had spent the night sat in the Slytherin Common Room.
Severus clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder, so the teenager looked up at his guardian, "Thank you for your help Harry. I'll catch up with you in a short while. If there is any trouble –"
"I'll shout, don't worry." Harry told him, "We'll be fine."
Severus smiled at him in appreciation, clapped him on the shoulder again, and then left to help some students who were trying to catch his eye. He sat down with them, crossed legs, and allowed them to hand him papers and ask questions on where they could improve. He took out a red muggle pen, and started scribbling.
"I'm surprised you had the nerve to come down here." Jane tugged on Harry's arm to get his attention, "If looks could kill you'd already be dead." She nodded to where Malfoy and his cronies were sat, glaring daggers at the group. Jane giggled again, and turned back to her work.
"I've faced worse." Harry rolled his eyes.
"So were you in the Divination class that got inspected this morning?" Graham, Ron's study partner, asked, and leaned forward eagerly, "Everyone was saying it was the fifth year Gryffindor class. Everyone's up in arms about it."
Harry groaned, nodding, "Yeh I was. Ron and I watched the whole thing."
"Tell us." The group whispered, "We heard so many stories about it, but they were clearly exaggerated. What really happened?"
Harry recounted the story for the six Slytherin's sat around him. He already knew Jane, Graham and Sophie, and was introduced to the others sat with them. They were all seemingly kind and polite people, and though they seemed a bit hesitant around Harry at first, they relaxed and started laughing at his story soon enough.
"I can't believe she asked Trelawney for a prediction." Sophie covered her eyes with her hands in horror, "She's a direct relation of Cassandra Trelawney! To insult her in such a way…"
"I know… You should have seen the look on Trelawney's face." Harry cringed. He made a mental note that Sophie reacted the same way Parvati Patil had – perhaps they knew each other, or perhaps Sophie was just a keen Divination student too.
"Her behaviour is disgusting." Jane shook her head, "Umbridge, of course, not Trelawney. I can't believe she's getting away with it. The fact that the Ministry is employing her, and trusts her… Well it says a lot about the Minister, doesn't it?"
They all hummed agreements, and then settled down to their work. Harry and Jane compared their potions essays, swapped notes, and then Jane helped Harry with his Herbology that he had received an 'A' in. Harry could see that Severus' kept glancing at them every now and again, so Harry made sure to smile back in reassurance. Severus may have been confident on the way in, but Harry knew if something happened his guardian would feel guilty.
Suddenly Severus' eye switched to a different focus, and it was so sharp it caught Harry's attention. He watched, as Severus was watching, as Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson stood up from where they were sat with friends, and started to make their way over to Harry and Jane's group. The two Slytherin's gave smug looks as they sat down opposite Harry, wedging themselves into the circle.
"So, Potter, I'm dying to know, how did you persuade Professor Snape to let you down here?" Pansy asked, twirling a strand of jet black hair between her fingers. Her head was cocked and her lips were pursed.
"He asked me to come help Jane with some homework." Harry said shortly. He could see Severus watching them, but he hadn't made to get out of his seat yet. Many of the Slytherin's had their head turned towards them, Malfoy's movements had caught their attention as well.
"Ah yes, the Gryffindor mascot's study buddy." Pansy said, moving her head slightly to focus on Jane. Her eyes ran up and down, inspecting her fellow Slytherin female, and pursed her lips even more in obvious distaste. Harry's eyes darted back to Severus, and Pansy laughed, "Don't worry Potter; we aren't here to start anything. We wouldn't while Professor Snape, your dear guardian, was in the room watching."
Harry's eyes went back to Draco and Pansy. Draco hadn't said anything yet, but was staring at him intently, "Well then, Parkinson, Malfoy, why are you here? Go back to your own group. We are trying to work."
Draco's jaw tensed, and then relaxed. He crossed his arms and said, "We're the fifth year prefects for this house, Potter. We are just making sure you aren't disrupting anyone, or sabotaging Slytherin house."
Harry's hands clenched underneath the table, and Jane sat rigid beside him. Sophie, however, was having none of it, "Leave off Malfoy, Parkinson. Harry is helping us with our work. He's got better grades than most of us, and every time he's helped us, we've improved too. He's not disrupting, and he's clearly not sabotaging."
"I'd stay out of this, Roper." Malfoy hissed.
"Why? What are you going to do?" Sophie leaned forward, "I'd love to tell my father you had tried something. So go on, try."
"Is there a problem here?" They all looked up to see an older Slytherin boy standing above them. He was strongly built, with dark hair and eyes. His expression was sharp, and his air of authority was undisputable. The Head Boy badge was pinned to his robes.
"Of course there isn't, Harrison." Pansy said sweetly, still twirling a strand of her hair.
Harrison looked at her critically, and then around the group. He nodded to Harry, "I'm Harrison Townsend, seventh year Slytherin, and Head Boy. I'm surprised we haven't run into each other yet, Potter, considering your wardship under Professor Snape."
"Likewise, but it is nice to meet you now." Harry said politely.
"And you." Harrison nodded his head again, in a well-done imitation of Professor Snape, "Mr Malfoy, Miss Parkinson, your views regarding Mr Potter are well known. You have not made the sensible decision to hide them, and therefore I must ask why are you interrupting their study session and not with your peers working."
"We were just doing our jobs as Prefects, Harrison." Malfoy said crossly, standing up, "We thought we'd make sure he wasn't sabotaging anyone's work, or disrupting their time."
"I see." Harrison said, "Mr Malfoy, who brought Mr Potter into the common room this evening?"
Malfoy fidgeted, "Professor Snape did."
"And so are you telling me," Harrison asked, "That you are under the believe Professor Snape would bring a student into this common room, who he thought would either sabotage the work of his Slytherin's, or disrupt the work of his Slytherin's?"
"No but –"
"Have you ever taken this measure before, when a student of another house has entered our common room? A Hufflepuff, perhaps, or a Ravenclaw?"
"I can't remember whether –"
"I do, and you have not." Harrison cut him off sharply, "Mr Malfoy in the future, do not let personal differences get in the way of your Prefect duties. Might I also advise you do not let these differences affect the ward of our head of house, it is most unwise."
Draco clenched his jaw, "Are you suggesting Professor Snape plays favourites, Harrison?"
"Mind your tone Malfoy." Harrison warned, "I am suggesting that Mr Potter is protected by the man who holds your fate in this house. I am telling you to be careful, and to stride back to your own table, and do some damn work."
Draco looked like he wanting to stamp his foot first, but instead grabbed Pansy by the wrist and dragged her back to their table. Their friends leaned in covertly, asking what had happened, as if the whole common room hadn't heard.
Harrison let out a breath, and turned back to Harry, Jane and the rest of their table, "I am sorry for the interruption to your study session. I will be having a word with Professor Snape about the Prefects behaviour."
"That's alright, Harrison," Jane said softly, "Thank you."
"Anytime. Mr Potter, might I ask whether Severus has gone over the rules of Slytherin house with you?"
Harry shook his head, "Not in so much detail, I've heard parts in passing."
"Well, one of our rules is that any arguments or disputes that happen within this house, and this common room, stay within this house and this common room. We do not let any bad behaviour show to the rest of the school." Harrison told him formally, then cleared his throat, "Might I ask that you…" He trailed off.
Harry grinned, "You're trying to find the polite way to say 'don't run off and tell the whole of Gryffindor about this'. Aren't you?"
Harrison smiled apologetically, "It is not our way to gossip. I appreciate it was Professor Snape who allowed you into the common room, and that you have exemptions as his ward, but if you could follow our rules while you are here –"
"Understood." Harry said firmly, and Harrison looked momentarily surprised, "I know that Professor Snape sets those rules for a reason. I know he works hard to create a unified house that trusts its fellow members. I have been allowed in, and therefore it would be rude of me not to follow the same rules while I am here."
Harrison looked very pleased, and replied, "Thank you Harry, in that case I hope to see you again. I need to go and report this incident to Professor Snape."
"No need, I am here." Severus appeared by Harrison's side, "You seem to have handled that very efficiently, Mr Townsend. Thank you for diffusing a situation."
"Might I ask how much of it you heard, Professor?"
"Parts of it, I will want a full report."
"Of course, Sir. Shall I come to your office after the study session has finished?"
"Yes, that would be best. Thank you." After the response, Harrison smiled at everyone, and then made his way to the other side of the common room, where he had been sat before. Severus elevated a chair to the table and sat down comfortably, "Everything alright?"
"We're fine, Sir, thank you." Graham said, on behalf of everyone, "Malfoy was just trying to make a scene."
"Indeed." Severus drawled, and his eyes landed on his ward, "Harry?"
Harry smiled, "It's alright. He's just trying to rile me up. He's been the same since first year; it's nothing I am not used to. He was trying to say I was disrupting or sabotaging people's work."
Severus scoffed, "No ward of mine will be sabotaging people's work."
"It's a wonder he didn't know that already." Harry quipped, smirking.
Severus let out a low chuckle, "Very true, Harry. Now, rest assured I will be having a chat with Mr Malfoy. Did anyone have any queries regards their work? Before the disturbance, you seemed to be getting on very nicely."
Jane beamed and thrust her moonstone essay forward, into Severus' waiting hands, "Yes, is this structure better? I had a look at Harry's and he helped me change the paragraphs around to suit the information I was presenting. I also made further notes on the terminology highlights you gave me."
Severus scanned the page, "Much better, Miss Harper. With the structural changes alone this would go up a grade, and then if you made the simple terminology changes I marked down and added a bit more analysis, this would most likely go from a 'P' to an 'E' quite quickly. Excellent work."
He took a look at Harry's herbology work, and another girl's charms essay. He gave quick, constructive feedback on where it could be improved and what was already good about it. Afterwards, he asked someone for the time.
"Almost curfew, then." Severus noted, when he had been told, "Harry, you should be returning to Gryffindor Tower. It will take you a while to walk there and you don't want to get caught out by Filch."
"Can I just stay in our quarters tonight?" Harry asked, pleadingly. The Slytherin's around them raised their eyebrows.
"I do believe we had a deal about you at least staying in Gryffindor Tower during the week." Severus told him.
"However, it is a Friday night." Harry returned, "Which is only technically a week night, because I don't have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning for lessons. I'll send Hermione and Ron a note to say I'm spending the night in our quarters. Oh, and then you could help me order that book I really wanted?"
Severus gave a sigh, and then rolled his eyes, "Alright, I won't say no, but you will not lie in all morning!"
"Not all morning." Harry grinned, and then ducked and yelped as Severus went to swat him, "Hey!"
Severus was faintly aware that most of the Slytherin's were watching him by now, but found he didn't care so much, "Behave, or you will find yourself grounded. I can do that, remember. Or I could take away your broomstick. I do believe tomorrow afternoon is Gryffindor's turn for practise."
Jane and her friends made a low 'Ooooh!' sound, and then laughed. Harry held his hands up in defeat, "I surrender." He said, "I surrender. I can't get another beating from Angelina. That girl hates it when people miss quidditch practise."
Severus shook his head, but smiled, "Pack your things up while I do my last rounds. We'll go in a minute anyway; I need to speak with Mr Townsend about Mr Malfoy and Miss Parkinson in my office, before he comes back in time for curfew."
Harry started packing his bag while Severus walked away, and saw Jane smiling at him, "What?"
She laughed, "It's nothing, just the way you two are at ease around each other. It's difficult to see that he is the head of Slytherin and you are the so-called 'Gryffindor mascot' when the pair of you act like that."
"Yeh well," Harry shrugged, "He's still my guardian. Houses don't matter so much anymore. We may not have got on very well before this year, or at all, really, but stuff changes. He looks out for me."
"We can all see that." Jane said, "You've brightened him up too. He would never have acted like that before you came along, especially not in front of his house. He is very fatherly, I suppose, but he is still strict. You've softened him up."
Harry laughed now, "I'll tell him you said that." Jane looked horrified, and Harry was quick to add, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding, though it is very tempting. He hated it when I starting ruining his reputation, used to give me warnings about it."
"Well I don't think he cares much now." Sophie remarked.
Harry looked at her, his smile dying down and his curiosity taking over, "Hey, Sophie, can I ask you something? When you said to Malfoy about your father… What did you mean? Do they know each other?"
"Our fathers know each other." Sophie told him, not at all insulted or offended by Harry's question, "My father is very high up within the Ministry, and once worked as the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department. Apart from that, my family is also pureblood, and there are certain etiquettes within our society that prevent Malfoy from offending a pureblood woman. If he did, my father would have to write to his father, and demand a public apology. I am sure that is something Lucius and therefore Draco would want to avoid."
"I suppose so. I had no idea there were such rules in pureblood society." Harry said, pulling his bag over his shoulder, "The problems of being raised by Muggles, I suppose."
"I am sure Professor Snape will introduce you to it all in time." Sophie laughed, "But be warned, it will make you fall asleep in sheer boredom."
"What exactly will I be introducing you to? Are you ready to leave?" Severus once again appeared by their side.
"Yes, I am. We were just discussing rules in pureblood society." Harry told him.
Severus looked at him bewildered, shook his head and said, "Good night, Slytherin's."
"Good night Professor Snape! Night Harry!" They all called back.
"Thanks for your help Harry," Jane said, "I'll see you soon."
"You too, thanks Jane, see you soon." Harry grinned back at her, and then followed Severus out of the portrait door. Harrison followed behind them, after leaving the sixth year prefects in charge of making sure everyone got upstairs to bed.
They walked silently to the portrait of Severus and Harry's chambers, where they momentarily stopped and Severus turned to his ward, "You go inside Harry, and find that catalogue for the book you wanted. I won't be long. Mr Townsend, come along to my office."
Harrison bid Harry a quick goodnight before disappearing down the corridor with Severus. The potion master's office was only down the corridor and to the right, so Harry waited and watched until they turned the corner, but going inside the quarters as Severus had asked. He changed into soft cotton pyjamas, and found the catalogue and page insert with the newest book he wanted. He also flicked through the pages and found one on pureblood etiquette.
Severus did not take long, and addressed Harry as he entered, "I apologise for the actions of my Slytherin Prefects. Mr Malfoy and Miss Parkinson, preferably, should not have been chosen for the roles, in my opinion. They centre themselves far too much on personal issues."
"Don't you get too pick the prefects for your house?" Harry questioned, placing the catalogue on his lap.
"Unfortunately not, Harry. I can suggest students who I believe would take on the role well, as I did with students such as Mr Townsend." Severus gestured to the door, as if indicating the Head Boy he was just speaking to, "However, sometimes those recommendations go unheard. Both Mr Malfoy Senior and Mr Parkinson have significant influence over the school board; I do not believe it was even Albus' decision."
"That's ridiculous." Harry scoffed, "How did your chat with Harrison go?"
"Mr Townsend is very professional in his role as Head Boy. He deals with situations efficiently and in the interests of his house, and gave me a thorough report on what occurred. He also mentioned that you discussed the house rules in Slytherin?" Severus said, raising an eyebrow, "Apparently you were quite compliant with them."
Harry shrugged, "It's only fair I follow them. I was in your common room, not mine."
"Well in that case, I am very proud of your behaviour. I believe your approach was incredibly mature and reasonable. Did the find the study session useful to you? When not being interrupted, of course." Severus sat down opposite him, after having made himself a hot drink.
"It was very useful, actually. Jane received a better grade than I did on the Herbology paper, so I was able to go through it carefully with her, as she was able to do with my potions essay and then – why are you looking at me like that Severus?"
Severus was sitting on the opposite sofa, with a wide smirk plastered onto his face. The imposing black teaching robes, combined with the ceramic mug of steaming tea had such a contrasting effect, that Harry was left completely bemused and confused.
"What in Merlin's name are you talking about Harry? Go on, tell me about Miss Harper."
"No!" Harry protested, and Severus' smirk grew wider, "You are making fun of me!"
"I am doing no such thing!" Severus objected.
"Malarkey!" Harry shouted, using one of Severus' favourite words and jumping up from his seat.
Severus laughed, and gestured to the catalogue, "Fine, we will end the conversation about Miss Harper. It is probably a conversation you are more comfortable having with either Mr Weasley or Miss Granger, I suppose."
"There isn't a conversation to be had." Harry vowed, taking the catalogue in his hands and sitting next to his guardian. He flicked through the pages to re-find the one he wanted.
"If you insist, Harry." Severus held up his hands, "Which book is it that you wanted to order?"
"This one." Harry pointed.
Severus raised an eyebrow, "I believe this is an old edition of the fifth year Defence Against the Darks Arts textbook. It is what previous years have used. Whatever could you want with this?"
"Pff, like you don't know." Harry muttered, "I've got to learn some proper Defence before the exams. If I don't, I won't get the grades I need to become an Auror."
"You're still set on becoming an Auror?" Severus asked,
"At the moment…" Harry trailed off, "I'm not too sure; honestly, it's just what I have always said. It's a safe choice to tell people that is what I am aiming for. I suppose if I aim for the best grades either way, I can keep my options open."
"A wise choice." Severus nodded, "I believe I have this book in my collection. You can have it if so, and if I am unable to find it, I will order one for you. I will probably have some other defence texts you can use to advance your knowledge."
"Thanks." Harry said gratefully, "I wish we could bring back the duelling club we had in second year… Lockhart was an awful teacher, but a defence club would be really useful this year. Umbridge would never allow it."
Severus looked at him, "Sometimes, the greatest achievements are done in secret."
"Are you referring to your spying days?"
"No, Harry." Severus said exasperatedly, "I am saying that you and your friends have gotten up to enough trouble over the years, and you did much of it in secret. Speak to your friends. I think a defence club would be a wonderful idea."
"You know that Umbridge would never allow it." Harry repeated.
Severus closed the catalogue with a thud, smirking again, "That's where the secret part comes in."